Brian Burnes

Representatives of the Chiefs and Royals have suggested they would consider other “options” if Jackson County voters don't approve a sales tax to help fund a downtown ballpark and upgrade Arrowhead. It's not inconceivable that a professional sports team would leave Kansas City — because it's happened before.

If Jackson County voters feel conflicted about the April 2 stadium sales tax vote to help finance a new downtown ballpark for the Royals and Arrowhead Stadium improvements for the Chiefs, they can be confident in this: political fights over stadiums is a local tradition that goes back at least 93 years.

Call it Kansas City's cruel summer. In July 1993, the Kansas River spilled over near 59th Street and Kaw Drive in Wyandotte County, Turkey Creek flooded Southwest Boulevard, and the Missouri River came close to overtopping the levees protecting the downtown airport. Hundreds of families were displaced.

The state's bucolic setting became the front line in America's westward expansion and in the fight over slavery.